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Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Pink Floral Wiggle Dress

Hello, readers! I made a dress. And there are several exciting things to report about this dress.

First, it's made from this really lovely pink floral cotton poplin, marked Ascher Studio in the selvage (just like this other floral dress I made).

Secondly, we took some of the photographs in front of my new favorite wall. (What, everyone has a favorite wall, right?) It's just off Main Street here in Beacon, New York, and it has the most darling pink patches of paint. In fact, the pink paint matches my dress!

Third exciting thing: this is based on a pattern from my forthcoming book! I wanted to include a glam sheath/wiggle dress, but then I spiced it up a bit with a sweetheart neckline. In the book, this design is made in a really luscious, really expensive duchess silk satin, so it's nice to make some more "everyday" versions, if you will.

Fourth exciting thing: I added a drape at the waistline, as that's a feature I've admired in many vintage dresses of the late 50s/early 60s.

It was easy. I just sewed two pieces of fabric into a rectangle, leaving a space to turn them right sides out. Then, I closed up the hole by hand sewing.

Then, I pinched the fabric at a point just off-center.

Then I twisted the fabric draped onto itself.

Then I basted it to the dress waistline, just underneath the twist. When I was happy with the positioning, I sewed it in place permanently by machine.

There's also pink piping on the neckline and waist seam.

Also exciting: it looks really pretty in my studio.

And the last exciting thing? By popular demand, I'm starting to offer made-to-order dresses in my Etsy Shop. And this is the first! (You can also buy the white flower hair clip here.) People always ask me if I sell my designs, so I figured I'd give it a try.

57 comments:

You keep teasing me about your book. I am waiting impatiently for the days to go by until I receive my pre ordered copy. I don't usually want summer to end, especially before it's even begun, but geez, Gertie!

Stunning! I am so so glad I preordered your book! Thanks for the mini tute on the drape too - I love those. So obsesse with them actually, that Ive bought two patterns in the past fortnight. Both look a bit complex but you don't learn if you don't try.

You look fabulous in the dress. When you said you added the drape, I thought it was going to be a complicated "slash-&-spread-the pattern" kind of thing. Your method is so easy, but does not look easy. I'm utterly impressed! Waiting anxiously for the book release. Best of luck with your custom dress venture.

OMG i'm SOOOOO excited for your book (preordered on the first day, btw) and seeing this gorgeous dress really gets me going! YAY! I'm really looking forward to seeing some more sneaky peeks... September is such a long ways away! ^__^

This dress is gorgeous!! I love that fabric! You hair looks really pretty up like that with the flower too. Does the pattern in the book have a sweetheart neckline? I already pre-ordered your book. I can't wait to get it! Also.....I saw that super cute navy and white striped dress you made with built in bra cups and I was was wondering if you could post a tutorial on how to do this?

This is a gorgeous dress and coincidentally I found it yesterday at Etsy and added it to my Pintrest board - I love the draping. I wish your book would come out now - this would be the perfect dress to wear to a wedding I have to go to at the end of June.

Beautiful dress! Ascher is a print house that has done printing for Anna Sui among other designers. They usually print on really beautiful cottons from light weight lawns to gorgeous sateens and usually larger scale prints. That fabric was a great find! You are inspiring me to increase my sewing output!

Very pretty Gertie. I love cottons (being from the south does it..its too hot and humid for anything that doesn't breath!) Did you underline the poplin, or is poplin strong enough to handle the pressure of a wiggle dress? I'm always scared of a blow out if you know what I mean.

So pretty!I think its great that you show how great clothes *can* look on women with curves, when they're not forced to fit into stuff that was designed the very slim women the fashion industry champions.

I know I commented on how pretty this dress is...really pretty doesn't sum it up...I'm just so in awe at how you get it all done in a day girl! Between your hat class, now etsy & your other projects, you are an inspiration to me at least to keep plugging along! Go U!

I never pres order books, but this time I made an exception. I have to own this book. I hope it will get me sewing again. I have become rather bored with modern patterns. I have a figure for shapely vintage designs. I already plan on making this my little black dress. I hope there will be a companion website with great little details like this.